8:00am Monday 22nd March 2010
By James Connell
THE angry families of vulnerable and disabled patients are now turning to legal experts to fight for NHS care.
Paul Bates, chief executive of NHS Worcestershire, spoke of the anger of people whose loved ones had been refused continuing healthcare (CHC) at a meeting of the trust.
At present, NHS Worcestershire faces 68 appeals from people who have sought advice from legal companies.
The money supports over-18s who have physical or mental health needs as a result of disability, accident or illness and can be paid out over a lifetime.
Mr Bates said: “No matter where we look we’re not finding a solution. In the meantime, some of the letters that cross my desk about people refused continuing healthcare are some of the most tragic, hurt and angry letters I have read. For those families our reputation is as low as it could be.”
The total number of clients in receipt of continuing healthcare as at the end of December 2009 was 434 and the cost of a single placement on average is about £30,000 a year.
The allocation for CHC is £15.9 million – £6 million more than last year.
NHS Worcestershire will go £4.2 million over budget for this financial year (2009/10) as health bosses spent £14.1 million instead of the £9.9 million put aside.
The vast majority of the cash, £12.1 million, was spent on older people or adult mental health services with a smaller sum, under £2 million, spent on continuing care for people with learning disabilities.
This time-bomb is against the backdrop of a funding black hole projected to widen to £60 million by 2013/14. Pressure is also likely to mount as NHS Worcestershire is forced to fight appeals against their decision to refuse funding.
Sandra Rote, director of clinical development and executive nurse lead, was so concerned about the amount for next year’s budget that she could only be persuaded to give her support with a proviso that more funds could be released if necessary.
She said: “We are aware that there are large legal companies going out and encouraging people to apply for continuing healthcare.
“Clearly that’s having an impact on the number of people in Worcestershire that are applying. The concern is the number of people coming through at the moment, backed by legal companies, demanding lots of information and retrospective reviews.”
NHS Worcestershire faces 68 appeals. If applicants are turned down they can apply to the Strategic Health Authority to overturn the decision. Three Worcestershire cases are being considered by the SHA.
It was agreed to sign off the budget with the suggested proviso.
Your Worcester News was the only member of the media at this part of the meeting.
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